Travel Safety And Security News
Americans seek air travel Security
According to new America THINKS survey results from HNTB Corporation, Americans are clamoring most for aviation infrastructure improvements that will make them feel safer.
Giant wave kills two on Med cruise
Two passengers were killed and six injured when a giant wave crashed into a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, smashing its glass windshields. The Cypriot-owned Louis Majesty was sailing from Barcelona to Genoa with 1,350 passengers and 580 crew members on board.
Chile earthquake death toll passes 700
The death toll in the Chilean earthquake rose to more than 700 last night as rescue workers struggled to find survivors trapped in the wreckage and powerful aftershocks battered the country. About 350 deaths were in the holiday resort of Constitución, and scores of tourists remain unaccounted for.
Belgium head-on train crash leaves 25 dead
At least 25 were feared dead and dozens more injured after two commuter trains collided during the rush hour in the worst rail accident in Belgium for 30 years today.
Hundreds of tourists stranded by Machu Picchu mudslide
Hundreds of tourists are to spend a fourth day stranded without food or shelter on Peru’s Inca trail to Machu Picchu following mudslides in which a tourist and a local guide were killed. The only way out of the ancient citadel is via a railway, which has been blocked by the mudslides and could take three days to repair.
Big freezes brings UK to standstill
A number of UK airports have closed and rail services delayed as the big freeze continues to bring the UK to a standstill. Leeds/Bradford, Liverpool and Manchester airports closed earlier, and easyJet has been among the many airlines forced to cancel dozens of flights from both UK and European airports.
Heathrow to deploy full body scanner
Heathrow is to become the first of BAA’s six UK airports to install full body scanner. The airport operator said the scanners would be in place “as soon as practically possible”.
Drugs company offers free holidays to Mexico to test holiday tummy remedy
A US pharmaceutical company has come up with a novel way to get people to participate in trials for a remedy for “holiday tummy”. Intercell is offering up to 900 volunteers free holidays to Mexico or Guatemala - and all they need to do is eat, drink and see if they get sick.
Eurostar “confident” of travel for all before Christmas
Long queues at London St Pancras are continuing today as passengers scramble to travel on Eurostar before Christmas. The usually high-speed operator issued a statement saying it “remains confident” that there will be sufficient seats for everyone who wants to travel before the holiday.
Mexico state tourism minister murdered by gunmen
The tourism secretary for the Mexican state of Culiacan has been murdered by gunmen. Antonio Ibarra Salgado and his driver died in an ambush while travelling in the secretary’s official vehicle on the streets of the state capital.
Ryanair plane skids off runway
A Ryanair plane has skidded off the runway at Glasgow’s Prestwick Airport after hitting a patch of ice this morning, but no one was injured.
Snow chaos continues to gridlock UK
Temperatures lower than Alaska continue to plunge the UK into Christmas travel gridlock, with scores of flights from airports across the country cancelled, as well as mayhem on the roads and trains due to snow and ice.
Eurostar gets back on track
After three days of cancellations, Eurostar has resumed a limited service between London and the Continent. But there were chaotic scenes at St Pancras this morning as thousands queued in subzero temperatures in the hope of catching the first high-speed trains out of the station since Friday.
Snowbound Ryanair passengers left eating ice cubes
Ryanair has come under attack after passengers stranded on a badly-delayed flight were refused refreshments, leaving them nothing to eat or drink but ice cubes.
Mount Mayon eruption imminent as evacuation begins
A major eruption of Mount Mayon in the Philippines could be just days away, scientists have warned. Meanwhile authorities have completed the scramble to evacuate some 29,000 of the 50,000 people who live in the danger zone, 8km from the crater.
Thousands evacuated as volcano in Philippines threatens to erupt
Thousands of locals and tourists have been evacuated from the Albay province in the Philippines over fears that Mount Mayon could erupt imminently. The 2,460-metre mountain, one of the world’s most perfectly formed volcanoes, began oozing lava and ash overnight, threatening to wipe out the surrounding villages.
Australian dust storm wreaks travel chaos
International flights into Sydney have been diverted following a freak outback dust storm that has shrouded much of eastern Australia in a dramatic red glow.
Norovirus outbreak on Fred Olsen cruise
A viral infection which causes vomiting has broken out on a Fred Olsen Cruise ship that is travelling around the British Isles. 72 passengers on board ‘Balmoral’ have been infected with the virus, thought to have been introduced by a passenger who proved to be unwell shortly after departing from Dover.
Hurricane season has low impact on Caribbean
This year’s hurricane season has been far less severe than in previous years. The Atlantic hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1st and ends November 30th, deters visitors from travelling to the West Indies each year – yet this year, not one hurricane has formed in the Caribbean basin.
One thousand rescued from sinking ferry in the Philippines
Almost 1,000 people have been rescued after a ferry sank off the southern Philippines overnight. There are still a few people missing and nine people have been killed in the disaster.
